Beach camping in Lake Travis

Arguably the most popular of the Hill Country lakes, Lake Travis is a natural playground for Austinites. Stretching along the Colorado River from Hudson Bend to Pace Bend Park, this sprawling recreation area has everything you need for a summer vacation. Take to the water to swim, boat, or kayak, have fun at the water park and zipline course, or play a game of golf by the lakeside before checking out the lakefront restaurants and cocktail bars. Campers have options, whether you prefer an RV resort with full amenities, an eco glampsite, or a quiet tent site at Arkansas Bend or Windy Point parks.

Texas Hill Country 

The rolling hills, wildflower meadows, and vineyards of Texas Hill Country surround Lake Travis. Set out on a scenic hike or bike ride through the hills, cool off with a swim at Hamilton Pool or Pedernales Falls, or enjoy wine tasting along the Hill Country Wine Trail. There are hike-in tent sites and electric hookup RV sites at Pedernales Falls State Park, but for something more unique, opt for a quirky glampsite or camp on a country farm.

Austin & Around

The state capital is little more than a half-hour drive from Lake Travis, making it easy to take in the highlights on a day trip. Austin has more than its fair share of green spaces, whether you want to rent a paddleboat or stand-up paddleboard on Lady Bird Lake, cool off with a swim at Barton Springs or Deep Eddy Pools, or go birding at the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. On the outskirts of the city, McKinney Falls State Park is a favorite for campers, with hiking, biking trails, and fishing spots, as well as cabin rentals. 

Along the Colorado River

The Colorado River winds its way north from Lake Travis, dotted with golf courses, vineyards, and recreation areas where you can pitch a tent or launch your boat away from the summer crowds. RV resorts, houseboat rentals, and lakeside restaurants cluster around Horseshoe Bay, while the hills around Buchanan Lake and Inks Lake State Park have great hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails.

San Antonio & Around

Two hours south of Lake Travis, San Antonio is known for its Alamo and RiverWalk, but it’s also the gateway to some of the Hill Country’s most scenic camping getaways. Head to Garner State Park to fish, kayak, and admire the fall foliage, get your adrenaline fix tubing and mountain biking at Guadalupe River State Park, or escape the crowds at the walk-in tent sites in the Government Canyon State Natural Area. For city camping, there are basic tent and RV sites at Calaveras Lake and Braunig Lake just south of downtown.